Which style of play do you like better, American Leauge with the DH or the National League?

Question

In some ways I like the DH because it saves wear and tear on the pitcher, but in others, I like having the pitcher bat because it makes for better stratagy in the game.

The DH rule is nice for guys who are still good hitters, but getting to a point where playing everyday in the field gets hard on the body, and helps extend their career.

Answer 1

N.L. for sure. There is much more strategy involved with having the pitcher hit as well. Do you let the pitcher bat in a close game because he is pitching good, or do you take him out for a pinch hitter.
What is the first rule in the baseball rulebook.
"Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each......"
it doesn't read ten players per team, or that you can add an extra guy to your offense. The pitcher is part of the game, they should have to hit

Answer 2

Personally, I think the American League has more interesting teams, like the Red Sox, Yankees, A's, and White Sox.

It seems like the only interesting thing in the NL these days is Bonds, and I'm tired of hearing about him.

I do not like the DH rule, however. I say, make the pitcher hit. All the players in the lineup should be out in the field playing defense or hitting the ball.

Answer 3

National League because it brings a lot of strategy in. DH ruins it because the juiced guys get it easy: they get to take steroids and then just swing the bat, run the bases and sit down.
When there's the pitcher batting, the game is in some ways trickier because the manager has to figure out how he's going to pitch so he gets the pitcher coming up first or use him as an easy out.
It just makes the game more interesting and strategic when it is in the NL.

Answer 4

I personally like the NL better because you get to see the well roundedness of the pitchers (i.e. John Smoltz, Dontrelle Willis, etc.) and the stradegy involved. Also the scores are closer making for a more exciting game. The DH is basically a one dimensional player. Although I would not change the format.

Answer 5

Baseball is, first and foremost, entertainment. We want to see players who are at their best, whether it's pitching, fielding, or hitting. Without the DH rule, we wouldn't be entertained by such players as Travis Hafner, Frank Thomas, and now retired Edgar Martinez.

The NL style of play does lend itself to more strategy and it's more interesting from a thinker's point of view. However, I still like having DH in one league just to see great hitters hit, even though their other skills may have diminished.

Answer 6

American League with the DH. Baseball is much more exciting, and the automatic out with the pitcher batting is avoided. It's tough on the pitchers because they have to face power packed lineups, but it is exciting for the fans who pay the salaries. American League all the way!!

Chow!!

Answer 7

I am a traditionalist. NL all the way. Why shouldn't the pitcher hit? He's in the game. Better strategy. The DH is just a way to keep old gimps around in the game. Shouldn't even be a question in your minds.

Answer 8

i am a yankees fan, so i watch the al all the time, and personally i much prefer the nl rules...the DH makes the manager's job 100x easier because there are no double switches, no pinch hitting for the pitcher and then moving that player into the field, etc., effectively eliminating a lot of strategy from the game

Answer 9

I like both of them. DH allows an offense to have a better chance of scoring, but having a pitcher bat means the other team has a better chance of getting out of the inning.

Answer 10

I like the NL. Let the pitcher hit. What is wrong with him doing it. The catcher hits and he throws the ball as much as the pitcher. I don't understand why pitchers are singled out for pampering. Sure they do the big work, but anyother player on the team let down and it is all for nothing.